CUPERTINO, CA (CelebrityAccess) — Apple is reportedly in talks with cable television giant Comcast over a streaming television service that would allow users of Apple's set top box to stream live television with special data priority over Comcast's network.
The discussion, first reported by the Wall Street Journal and characterized as in the early stages, would be a significant step towards the end of the traditional television over cable system that has dominated the television entertainment landscape for decades.
Under terms of the deal, users would have access to live broadcasts as well as on-demand programming, and would be able to use a cloud-based DVR, effectively replacing the traditional cable box with an Apple device.
The deal would also present a challenge for proponents of net neutrality as Apple would seek to have their data prioritized on Comcast's networks in order to prevent bandwidth congestion so that users don't suffer from a degradation of video quality or other hiccups.
Comcast has been at the center of a number of controversies in recent months, including its proposed acquisition of the Time-Warner cable system, which would make Comcast the dominant player in Internet and Cable television in the U.S. and accusations by video streaming service Netflix, who claim that Comcast has been charging additional fees for unimpeded access to Comcast's data network. – Staff Writers
